VLSI architecture for encryption and watermarking units towards the making of a secure camera

Considerable amount of research is directed at putting biometric data in conventional forms of identification such as passports. However, putting biometric data in passports makes the data vulnerable to theft, causing privacy related issues. To address such issues, we present a new approach and architecture in the framework of a digital camera, conceptualized as a "Secure Digital Camera (SDC)". The SDC uses watermarking and encryption processes for image security and authentication. The Rijndael AES algorithm and a DCT-based visible watermarking algorithm were chosen for implementation in our camera. The proposed architectures were modeled, simulated and synthesized in Xilinx ISE.